EXTREMELY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE ORIGINAL LARGE DIE PROOF OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE.

Brookman notes that the right inner frameline of the 12c die was weak at bottom right between the rosette and the bottom frameline. He also notes that 4 out of 5 positions on Plate 1 were subsequently recut in this problem area.

We are able to detect two thin lines in this part of the design. This indicates either that the engraver's tool slipped causing a weak area, or that the original engraving was extremely weak, and the engraver had to be retouch this area on the original die. If the latter explanation is true, then his efforts to strengthen the area apparently were not successful given the many recut positions.